The United States recognizes the effort made by Peru regarding the eradication of illegal coca crops throughout the current year,
U.S. Embassy's Press Attaché, Vanessa Whittington stated.
"With great pride, I have heard that the eradication effort was successful in 2025 and that Peru has exceeded its target of 30,000 hectares of coca eradicated," the U.S. diplomat said during the handover ceremony of American Black Hawk helicopters to Peru.
The diplomat mentioned that the U.S. supports the South American country on this issue, having contributed funds in 2025 for this purpose, as well as providing aircraft for surveillance and operational tasks.
"In 2025, we have provided more than US$2 million to the eradication project and over US$20 million for the aviation program," Whittington indicated.
Regarding the helicopters, she noted that six are already in the country. Another three are expected for next year.
Boost to eradication
Operations for the Special Project for the Control and Reduction of Coca Cultivation in the Alto Huallaga (Corah) Deputy Director Nemesio Moreno said the aircraft provided by the U.S. government "will speed up our aerial operations."
"These aircraft have greater flight autonomy and, above all, can carry more passengers compared to those that previously supported eradication," he stated.
Regarding the actions that allowed the target of 30,000 hectares of coca eradication to be exceeded—reaching 36,000—Moreno indicated that the Corah Project deployed more than 2,000 workers across Ucayali, Huanuco, San Martin, Loreto, and Amazonas regions.
The official underscored that the eradication is carried out manually and physically.
"We have had a surplus of about 7,000 hectares compared to 2024," he pointed out.
In turn, Police Aviation pilot Raptor Tejada emphasized the Black Hawk helicopters "give us a strong response capability in the fight against this scourge."
The law enforcement agent highlighted that up to 18 people can travel in them, depending on the operation to be carried out.
He also indicated that the operations carried out with this aircraft are normally support and direct-action missions against drug trafficking, including interdiction, eradication, and reconnaissance tasks.
(END) FGM/MAO/MVB
Published: 12/18/2025